Improvep



R. B. HBBINS..

Cultivators..

910,141,462, Patented August, 18 73.

4M. Ff/oraimlosmm/c co. M Mosamf's moczss) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD B. ROBBINS, 0F ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

IMISROVEMENT IN cuLrIvAToRs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 141,462, dated August 5, 1873; application filed Decemberv 20, 1872.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD B. ROBBINs, of the city of Adrian, county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Sulky-Gultivators, the same being intended as an improvement on the sulky-cultivator patented by me March 7, 1871, patent No. 112,496 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, Inow describe its construction and mode of operation.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved sulky-cultivator. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a double cross-head, to be supplied as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l, when it is desirable to convert the machine into a field-cultivator for common use. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of asection of a cultivator, showing how it may be constructed and attached to the pendent arms.

My invention consists in certain improvements in sulky-cultivators, which are hereinafter particularly described.

Ain the drawings represents the neap, B, the wheels, and (l the axle of a sulky-cultivator. D D represent swinging frames, to which the plows are attached, and which are respectively connected to pendent arms o from cross-bars E, as shown in the drawings. They are also attached to the axle by means of the chains a', hooks n, and standard F. The letter m represents coiled springs arranged upon the metallic shanks t', by which the rails of the swinging frames D D are united with the pendent arms of the cross-bar and the front ends of said rails proper. It will be observed that the metallic shanks of said rails are passed through eyes at the lower end of the pendent arms, and are secured by nuts, and that the springs m encircle said shanks. The object of the nuts is twofold: First, to fastenthe machine together, and second, to regulate the spacebetween the swinging frames D D when used as a corn-cultivator.

The office of the foot-levers G, chains s, and

pulley d is to raise the cultivator out of the ground; and my object in placing thefoot-levers on the-inside of the swinging frames D D is to enable the operator to raise the plows out of the ground with greater facility, less power, and more natural; and it also enables me t-o construct my eultivators with three plows on each side, as shown. The office of the springs mis to permit of a lateral or vibrating motion, and to aid in restoring the plows to a direct line of draft whenever they may have been forced therefrom. Thus,incul tivating corn or other small plants, when the operator finds that the plows are running too near the rows, he pushes them out with his feet, and holds them until the object is passed, when he takes his feet from the machine, and the springs at once force the plowsback in position; or, in case he wishes to run the plows nearer the rows, he draws the cultivator in, keeps them in that position as long as desired, removes his feet, and they at once assume the position of direct line with the draft. The office of the chains x is to hold up the swinging frames D D, regulate the depth of the plows, and, by being placed in the center of each frame D D, as indicated, they form a pivot or point for the frames to play across. The oflice of the pendent anchor-shaped hooks e is to hold the plows out of the ground in going to and from the field, and, by means of the springs m, are automatic.

When the operator wishes to raise the plows out of the ground and fasten them, he presses down on the levers G with his feet, which will raise the the frames D D until the staples f come in contact with the lower ends of said pendent hooks; continuing the pressure, the said frames are crowded sidewise and upward until the staples f reach the recesses in said pendent hooks, when the springs force them in said recesses, and hold them until released by the operator; and it makes no difference which side of the hook the staples f strike, the result is the same, and avoids the necessity of carrying the frames sidewise with the hands in order to hook them up.

In order to convert my machine into a walking-cultivator I attach handles to the frames D D in the usual manner, and use the pendent hooks above described. I also conl template using larger blades or shovels on the inside rails for hilling the corn when necessary. This, of course, will increase the lateral pressure of the frames D D, to overcome which I shall use heavy Wire for my springs on the outside metallic Shanks.

My description thus far refers to the machine when used in corn. To convert it into a field or full cultivator I place the double cross-head H between the swinging frames D D, as indicated by the dotted lines of Fig. 1 of the drawings, and attach it to said frames D D by means of the eyebolts o passing through openings in the inner rails of said frames, and when in position it is secured by pms.

My object in constructing the double crosshead as indicated is to allow space enough between the center rail b and swinging frames D D for the foot-levers G to pass up and down 1n.

The office of the springs m in a held-cultivator is to permit of a vibratory motion of the cultivator, rendering it less liable to breakage, and at the same time securing a ilexible eultivator.

I also contemplate using the solid steel spring K shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, as a cheaper device for walking-cultivators, and as amodication of the springs m, above described, and for the same purpose.

Letter I represents the seat, and J the seatbars. Letter L represents the draw-bar, and h the rods to which the Whiletrees g are attached. Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 represent standards, to which the blades or shovels are fastened. My plows are constructed in the shovel form, and attached to the standard in the ordinary manner.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The anchor-shaped pendent hooks e, in combination with the staples f, when used in a lateral-movin g cultivator, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD B. ROBBINS.

Witnesses:

H. J. WENTWORTH, W. F. CORNELL. 

